The first traces of the Lagrange estate date back to the Middle Ages, when it was known as the "Maison Noble de Lagrange Monteil." It was a vast domain comprising agricultural lands, a church, and community buildings. It wasn't until the 17th century that the estate adopted its current name, with the union of two terroirs that would form the wine estate we know today.
The modern history of Château Lagrange truly begins in the 18th century under the Branne family, who developed the vineyard and allowed it to make a name for itself in the region. The estate was visited in 1787 by Thomas Jefferson, then ambassador of the United States to France, who included it in his own classification of Bordeaux's great growths.
One of the decisive turning points for the estate occurred in 1842, with its acquisition by Count Tanneguy Duchâtel, Minister of the Interior under Louis-Philippe. Duchâtel undertook major renovations and modernised viticulture techniques by installing an innovative drainage system, which helped improve the quality of the wines. Under his impetus, Château Lagrange was classified as a Third Growth in 1855, during the famous Médoc classification.
Despite this recognition, the end of the 19th century was marked by economic difficulties and the ravages of phylloxera. The estate went through a long period of decline until its acquisition by the Cendoya family in 1925. In 1983, the Japanese group Suntory bought the estate and invested massively to renovate it. Today, thanks to Suntory's investments and rigorous management, Château Lagrange has regained its place among the great growths of Bordeaux.
The vineyard of Château Lagrange spans 118 hectares of the left bank, making it the largest of the classified growths of 1855. Located west of Beychevelle, in the Saint-Julien appellation, the estate benefits from an exceptional terroir composed of two Günzian gravel outcrops. These gravel soils mixed with sand and ferruginous clay offer ideal conditions for cultivating Bordeaux grape varieties.
The red grape varieties are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (68%), followed by Merlot (25%) and Petit Verdot (7%). This composition gives Château Lagrange wines a solid structure, beautiful aromatic complexity, and impressive ageing potential. The vines are planted at a density of 8,500 vines per hectare, a practice that helps limit yields and concentrate the quality of the grapes.
The estate is also committed to sustainable and environmentally respectful management, adopting practices such as natural ground cover, elimination of chemical herbicides, and use of solar panels for better energy resource management. In addition, precise mapping of the vineyard allows for optimal plot management, with each plot being vinified separately to express the best of the terroir.
Vinification at Château Lagrange combines tradition and modernity, with particular care given to each stage of production. The grapes are harvested by hand and then sorted using optical sorting technology, which allows for selecting the best fruits with optimal precision. The wines are then fermented in stainless steel vats of different sizes, adapted to the particularities of the plots.
The fermentation process is carried out by co-inoculation, with long maceration to extract all the aromatic and tannic richness from the grapes. After fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barrels, 60% of which are new, for a period of 20 to 21 months. This ageing method brings finesse and complexity to Château Lagrange wines, giving them great ageing potential.
Since 1985, the estate has also produced a second wine, "Les Fiefs de Lagrange", made from younger vines and designed to offer a more accessible version of the grand vin, while remaining true to the spirit of the estate. In 1996, Château Lagrange ventured into white wine production with "Les Arums de Lagrange", a bold initiative for a Médoc estate traditionally focused on red wines.
Château Lagrange offers several cuvées, each reflecting the unique identity of the estate and its winemaking expertise.
Château Lagrange (Grand Vin)
The Grand Vin of Château Lagrange is a powerful and elegant wine, vinified from the oldest vines of the estate. Mainly composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, it is distinguished by its complex structure, beautiful freshness, and exceptional ageing potential. This wine is a true ambassador of the Saint-Julien appellation, offering aromas of blackcurrant, black fruits, cedar, and spicy notes. Its 21-month barrel ageing gives it a silky texture and remarkable length on the palate.
Les Fiefs de Lagrange
This second wine of the estate is made from younger vines. It is characterised by greater accessibility while retaining the precision and elegance typical of Château Lagrange. Aged in barrels for 13 months, "Les Fiefs de Lagrange" is appreciated for its suppleness and depth. It offers aromas of red fruits and liquorice, with melted tannins and a nice freshness on the finish.
Les Arums de Lagrange
"Les Arums de Lagrange" is one of the rare white wines produced in the Médoc. This wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Sauvignon Gris. It is appealing for its balance between vivacity and unctuousness, with aromas of citrus, tropical fruits, and white peach. Aged in half-barrels for six months, this white wine is distinguished by its freshness and tension, while offering a nice roundness on the palate.
Pagus de Lagrange
Made from plots located in the Haut-Médoc appellation, "Pagus de Lagrange" is a charming and elegant wine, mainly composed of Cabernet Sauvignon. It is vinified and aged with the same care as the other cuvées of the estate. This wine is distinguished by its freshness, spicy and fruity notes, and a beautiful structure on the palate. It constitutes a more accessible alternative to the great growths of Saint-Julien, while offering excellent value for money.
Saint-Julien, a flagship appellation of the Médoc in Bordeaux, is renowned for its red wines of great finesse and longevity. Certain vintages particularly stand out for their exceptional quality, offering powerful, elegant and complex wines. Among the finest vintages, one finds years such as 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1990, which are true benchmarks for connoisseurs of age-worthy wines. More recent years have not been left behind, with notable vintages such as 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012, all praised for their balance and ageing potential. The years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 also distinguish themselves through their richness and complexity, continuing to make Saint-Julien an essential reference in the world of wine.
We invite you to discover the various Third Growth Classified Châteaux, true treasures of the Bordeaux region. Set out to encounter the great terroirs of Margaux with the prestigious Château Boyd-Cantenac, Château Cantenac Brown, Château Desmirail, Château Ferrière, Château Giscours, Château d'Issan, Château Kirwan, Château Malescot Saint Exupéry, Château Marquis d'Alesme and Château Palmer. Continue your journey with the wines of Château Calon-Ségur in Saint-Estèphe, Château Lagrange and Château Langoa Barton in Saint-Julien, not forgetting the finesse of Château La Lagune in the Haut-Médoc. Each estate promises you an unforgettable experience, reflecting the art of Médoc wines.
Château Lagrange is an emblematic estate that embodies the excellence of the Saint-Julien appellation. With its exceptional terroir, rigorous viticultural practices, and commitment to quality, the estate continues to produce wines of great elegance and remarkable depth. Whether through its Grand Vin, its second wine "Les Fiefs de Lagrange" or its white wines like "Les Arums de Lagrange", Château Lagrange offers a unique experience with each tasting. A true jewel of the Médoc to discover and savour.